What Is BNSS Section 361?

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Section 361: Procedure in cases which Magistrate cannot dispose of.

(1) If, in the course of any inquiry into an offence or a trial before a Magistrate in any district, the evidence appears to him to warrant a presumption—

• (a) that he has no jurisdiction to try the case or commit it for trial, or
• (b) that the case is one which should be tried or committed for trial by some other Magistrate in the district, or
• (c) that the case should be tried by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, he shall stay the proceedings and submit the case, with a brief report explaining its nature, to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or to such other Magistrate, having jurisdiction, as the Chief Judicial Magistrate directs.

(2) The Magistrate to whom the case is submitted may, if so empowered, either try the case himself, or refer it to any Magistrate subordinate to him having jurisdiction, or commit the accused for trial.

Brefe Detail

This section outlines the procedure a Magistrate must follow when he cannot dispose of a case due to jurisdictional issues. If evidence suggests that the case should be tried by a different Magistrate or the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the original Magistrate must stay the proceedings and submit the case for further handling.

Question & Answers

What should a Magistrate do if he believes he lacks jurisdiction to try a case?

The Magistrate should stay the proceedings and submit the case to the Chief Judicial Magistrate or another appropriate Magistrate with jurisdiction.

Can a Magistrate refer the case to another subordinate Magistrate?

Yes, if empowered, the Magistrate can refer the case to any subordinate Magistrate having jurisdiction.

What happens if the evidence suggests that the case should be tried by the Chief Judicial Magistrate?

The original Magistrate must stay the proceedings and submit the case to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Example

• In a case where a Magistrate finds that a charge of theft should be tried in another jurisdiction, he will stay the case and submit it to the Chief Judicial Magistrate for reassignment.
• If a case involves serious charges and the initial Magistrate determines it should be escalated, he will halt his proceedings and forward the case as per the guidelines.

Summary

Section 361 specifies the process for a Magistrate when faced with jurisdictional limitations during an inquiry or trial. It emphasizes the importance of directing cases to the proper judicial authority, ensuring that justice is served efficiently and appropriately.